A method for the diagnosis of thermal runaway in an electric battery having at least one stack of electrochemical cells connected to one another in series. The diagnosis method provides for the steps of: measuring a first electric voltage at the ends of each electrochemical cell; measuring a second electric voltage at the ends of the entire stack of electrochemical cells; calculating a difference between the second electric voltage and the sum of all first electric voltages; and diagnosing a thermal runaway of an electrochemical cell, if the first electric voltage of the electrochemical cell is smaller than a first threshold value and if, simultaneously, the difference between the second electric voltage and the sum of all first electric voltages is smaller than a second threshold value.

A method for the diagnosis of thermal runaway in an electric battery having at least one stack of electrochemical cells connected to one another in series. The diagnosis method provides for the steps of: measuring a first electric voltage at the ends of each electrochemical cell; measuring a second electric voltage at the ends of the entire stack of electrochemical cells; calculating a difference between the second electric voltage and the sum of all first electric voltages; and diagnosing a thermal runaway of an electrochemical cell, if the first electric voltage of the electrochemical cell is smaller than a first threshold value and if, simultaneously, the difference between the second electric voltage and the sum of all first electric voltages is smaller than a second threshold value.

A battery module includes at least one cell having a positive terminal, a negative terminal, and a voltage and a current rating. A first electrically conductive heat pipe is thermally and electrically connected to the positive terminal. A second electrically conductive heat pipe is thermally and electrically connected to the negative terminal. The first and second heat pipes have the voltage and the current rating.

A battery module includes at least one cell having a positive terminal, a negative terminal, and a voltage and a current rating. A first electrically conductive heat pipe is thermally and electrically connected to the positive terminal. A second electrically conductive heat pipe is thermally and electrically connected to the negative terminal. The first and second heat pipes have the voltage and the current rating.

A battery module includes an insulating base, a pair of electrodes and multiple battery packs. Each electrode is installed to the insulating base and has a bridge portion and a wire connecting part exposed from the insulating base, and a pair of lugs is extended smoothly from each battery pack, and an end of at least a part of the lugs is attached to each bridge portion correspondingly. Therefore, the lug is not being twisted or deformed easily, and the battery module may have good conductive efficiency, long service life, and convenience of changing the battery pack.

A battery module includes: a plurality of battery cells stacked in a predetermined direction and electrically connected together; a plurality of bus bars that electrically connect the plurality of battery cells together; and a plurality of voltage detection wires each connected to one set of two or more battery cells electrically connected together. According to the battery module, the number of the voltage detection wires is reduced, thereby attaining reduced sizes of the bus bars, productivity improved by improved workability, and reduced cost.

A bus bar includes a first joint that is joined to an output terminal of a first battery, a second joint that is joined to an output terminal of a second battery, a heat absorber that is disposed between the first joint and the second joint and has a heat capacity larger than heat capacities of the first joint and the second joint, and a displacement absorber that is disposed between the first joint and the second joint and deforms in response to a relative displacement of the first battery and the second battery.

A bus bar includes a first joint that is joined to an output terminal of a first battery, a second joint that is joined to an output terminal of a second battery, a heat absorber that is disposed between the first joint and the second joint and has a heat capacity larger than heat capacities of the first joint and the second joint, and a displacement absorber that is disposed between the first joint and the second joint and deforms in response to a relative displacement of the first battery and the second battery.

A battery module improves safety by blocking current when the temperature rises, a battery pack includes the battery module, and a vehicle includes the battery pack. The battery module includes two or more battery cells, an electrode assembly having both ends respectively connected to one ends of electrode leads of opposite polarities in a pouch case together with an electrolyte and other ends of the electrode leads are exposed to an outside of the pouch case, wherein the electrode leads and a bus bar connecting a first battery cell and a second battery cell, wherein the bus bar comprises a metal layer and a material layer that is normally conductive but may act as a resistor when a temperature rises, and wherein the material layer comprises a gas generating material that is decomposed at a certain temperature or higher to generate a gas and increase resistance.

A battery module improves safety by blocking current when the temperature rises, a battery pack includes the battery module, and a vehicle includes the battery pack. The battery module includes two or more battery cells, an electrode assembly having both ends respectively connected to one ends of electrode leads of opposite polarities in a pouch case together with an electrolyte and other ends of the electrode leads are exposed to an outside of the pouch case, wherein the electrode leads and a bus bar connecting a first battery cell and a second battery cell, wherein the bus bar comprises a metal layer and a material layer that is normally conductive but may act as a resistor when a temperature rises, and wherein the material layer comprises a gas generating material that is decomposed at a certain temperature or higher to generate a gas and increase resistance.